Muhammad Irfan Khan vs Donovan Ferreira: a case study of two emerging lower order power-hitters

[Rana]

Both have recently started to feature for their countries at the number 6-7 spot with the role of the hitter/finisher. Both good ball strikers. Ferreira able to access more of the ground with a stronger off-side game in comparison to Irfan, whereas Irfan is an absolute gun in the field. 100% he is better than Ferreira in this respect.

Considering both players have to bat in a position where failures are far more likely, which makes their selection very difficult as we have seen in the case of Irfan being discarded by Pakistan….what South Africa are eventually going to get right in the case of Donovan is by increasing his utility in the side as a useful bowling option. Ferreira has been opening the bowling for his SA T20 side at times, and is also trusted with overs through the middle.

For Irfan Niazi, his utility is to cause an impact in the match through a game changing moment in the field if his batting doesn’t come off at the back end. This clearly hasn’t been valued as Pakistan have opted for Khushdil Shah for his role instead (who adds the utility with the ball+left arm option). Maybe Irfan must add a 5-10 over bowling option in order to enhance his career, or he will always have a sword hanging above his head just like Asif Ali and Haider Ali?

 

[jnaveen1980]

England has some lusty hitters down the order.

 

[pratiktc]

Role clarity is important. And it is critical that these players are playing same role in their domestic/league level as well.

The likes of David Miller and Pollard were given clear mandates and expectations on how to go about their roles. Despite hot and cold runs, their teams (intl and franchise) persisted with them and it made those teams all the more stronger.

We see Aus and India now trying to do same with Tim David and Rinku. NZ have also given Philips and Chapman similiar commissions and allowed them high failure rates.

England haven't been able to identify a gun closer since Morgan/Stokes left so they have traded quality for quantity (i.e. having 2-3 multi skilled hitters between #6-#9. It has not worked out well for them in the last 2 years.

The teams that are falling behind in T20Is - Pak, SL and Bangla all have similiar weaknesses in that none of their intl #5-#8 players plays these roles in domestic or league level. You cant pick a franchise #4 and tell him to become a #7 finisher everytime he puts on a green shirt

 

[Nikhil_cric]

England has some lusty hitters down the order.

Donovan Ferreira is a Saffer.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Donovan Ferreira is a Saffer.

I know.. saw SA20. I say most teams have lusty hitters down the order. India is the only one that has been stuck with Jadeja for a decade.